Private VIP Sojourns

We specialize in curating bespoke experiences. Want to summit Kilimanjaro on a full moon so you can ask your sweetheart to marry you? Plan a gastronomic experience along the Camino De Santiago with your foodie friends? You dream it. We make it come true.

Price depends on the number of guests and time of year traveling. Maria is happy to guide solo journeys, couples, families, friends, alumni groups, or company teams. Contact us about planning your next adventure.

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Availability =

jan

feb

mar

apr

may

jun

jul

aug

sep

oct

nov

dec

Description Sojourn guided by Maria Baltazzi

Nowhere on earth stirs up passion quite the way Israel does. Admiration at the breathtaking beauty of its natural features: The Dead Sea; green hills and valleys of the Israel National Trail and the multicolored canyon of Makhtesh Ramon. Religious devotion in the Jews, Christians, and Muslims who come to visit the Holy Land’s sacred sites – those on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount are among the most revered in the world. There are plenty of places to unwind, not least the cafes, bars, and beaches of cosmopolitan Tel Aviv or the boutique wineries of the Galilee region. One thing is for sure, spending time here never fails to challenge ideas and offer the most unexpected experiences.

You will spend much of your time in Jerusalem, one of the world’s foremost pilgrimage destinations. Jerusalem’s Old City is a spiritual lightning rod, sacred to Jews, Muslims, and Christians. Wide-eyed with awe, pilgrims flood into the walled city to worship at locations linked to the very foundation of their faith. Church bells, Islamic calls to prayer and the shofar (Jewish ram’s horn) electrify the air with a beguiling, if not harmonious, melody. Fragrances of incense, coffee, and candle smoke drift through the thrumming souqs (markets). Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Armenian quarters each add their own spice, but Jerusalem’s diversity grew from millennia of bloody sieges and transfers of power, leaving deep wounds. West of the Old City is a treasury of world-class attractions, including the Israel Museum and Yad Vashem memorial, while bars and restaurants crowd Jerusalem’s downtown.

A repository of sacred buildings and relics, it is a place where the oft-abused descriptor ‘living history’ really does apply – here you can walk in the footsteps of prophets, pray in buildings constructed by order of caliphs and kings, and overnight in hospices where Crusaders and Cardinals have slumbered. The soundtrack is of church bells, the muezzin’s call, and the shofar (ram’s horn), and the streets smell of everything from church incense to the heady aromas of the spice souq (market). It is a sensory and spiritual experience unlike any other.

Your itinerary will be curated depending on your cultural interests and religious affiliation.

Jodi S. | PilgrimWe all knew the events and heard of the places, but to see them and follow the footsteps was like piecing the puzzle together…Whatever our stories or reasons for ending up together was meant to be and we all take away what was special to us, understand our faith better, and now have bonds we will carry forward.

Tony K. | PilgrimThis trip was something that we wanted to do for so long. It was so much more than we could have dreamt of. We are blessed and grateful for all that we have seen and experienced together.

Katerina B. | PilgrimThe trip was fantastic. I made so many memories and found myself, along with a second family.

Jayne P. | PilgrimThis trip has been one I’ve taken as a pilgrim to savor the beautiful and historic landscape that so influenced the thoughts of the world. I am truly blessed.

Mario L. | PilgrimSince I was a very young kid in Greece, I had in my mind one destination – Jerusalem. The most extraordinary trip of my life. I can’t thank you enough.

John K. | PilgrimThis journey marks the beginning of my new life.

Steve H. | PilgrimTruly a trip of a lifetime. It’s difficult for me to express my thoughts and the raw emotions that I experienced in the last ten days; as my faith and beliefs have been magnified like I have never imagined. Thank you for making my spiritual journey such an incredible experience.

John V. | PilgrimI’ve wanted to do this trip for a long time. I was just waiting for the right opportunity. This was the right opportunity. I can’t imagine it being any better than it was.

Ted V. I PilgrimWe feel so blessed that our journey was shared with you. We couldn’t have asked for a better journey…This trip was incredible and will always be in our hearts.

Carmen K. | PilgrimI feel extremely blessed to be a part of the journey with this beautiful group of people!

Jeanine H. | PilgrimPriceless memories that will last a lifetime.

Itinerary Varies based on your desires

Day 1 Travel to Israel

Depart for the Holy Land.

Day 2 Arrive Tel Aviv | Haifa | Jaffa

Upon arrival in Tel Aviv, your group will be met in the Arrivals Hall after you clear immigration, collect your luggage, and pass through Customs. You will then meet your guide who will accompany you to Haifa, where you will visit Stella Marris, a Carmelite monastery with Madonna of Mount Carmel. Afterward, drive to Jaffa, where you will enjoy lunch before embarking on a visit to St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, the oldest church in Jaffa that is famous for its tall bell tower. Afterward, transfer to your hotel to check-in and relax before dinner at the hotel this evening. Rest of the evening at your leisure. Overnight Herods | D

Day 3 Caesarea | Cana | Travel to Tiberias

This morning after breakfast, we will drive up the coast to the ancient Roman city of Caesarea, which was once the ancient capital of the Roman province. Here you will view the impressive archaeological remains of the Roman and Byzantine city that once dominated the region. It was at Caesarea that Peter came to understand that the Good News was not for Jews only, but for the whole world. Here he baptized the Roman Centurion, Cornelius, and his family. It was from Caesarea that Paul set sail for Rome, an event that eventually brought Christianity to the World. In the afternoon visit Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle of changing water into wine at the request of His mother. Prayers at Saint Simeon’s Church. Continue to The Scots Hotel in Tiberias for dinner and a relaxing evening. Overnight Scots Hotel | B, D

Day 4 The Sea of Galilee

The day starts with a prayer at the Holy Apostles Church. Next, embark on a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, followed by a visit to the Mount of Beatitudes, the scene of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount. Then to Tabgha, Greek for “Seven Springs,” where Jesus fed the crowd of five thousand, and onto the site known as “Peter’s Primacy.” Here, after His resurrection, Jesus met with His disciples and told Peter to “feed my lambs; feed my sheep.” A short drive away is Capernaum, from where Jesus launched his Ministry; see the synagogue which dates to the time of Jesus and the church built over the site of Peter’s home. See the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Apostles, with its lovely pink domes and an outwardly setting overlooking the Sea of Galilee. You will have the chance to meet one of the priests who will tell about the life of Greek Orthodox faithful in the Holy Land. In the afternoon, visit Chorazim, which was cursed by the Lord because the people did not follow his teaching. Overnight Scots Hotel | B, D

Day 5 Nazareth | Church of Annunciation | Mount Tabor

After breakfast, we will drive to Nazareth, where you will see Mary’s Well where the Angel Gabriel told Mary she will give birth to Jesus. This afternoon, we will head to Mount Tabor, the site of the Transfiguration. Return to Tiberias for dinner and an evening at your leisure. Overnight Scots Hotel | B, D

Day 6 Sebastya | Jacob’s Well | Travel to Jerusalem

Today, we drive through Biblical Samaria to Sebastya, the former capital of the northern Kingdom of Samaria and see the largely untouched ruins. After lunch, we reach Jacob’s Well. We will visit the rebuilt church where Jesus met the Samaritan woman. He referred to the age-old dispute between the Samaritans and Jews about where to worship God by saying: “They that worship God must worship him in spirit and in truth.” Transfer to Jerusalem. Overnight Olive Tree Hotel | B, D

Holy Land Pilgrimage

This morning after breakfast, depart for a full day of exploration! Enjoy the unforgettable view from atop the Mount of Olives and marvel at the site before you. A four-thousand-year-old city, the center of three main monolithic faiths, and the place where Jesus sacrificed himself for man's salvation. See where Jesus taught the Apostles to pray “Our Father,” and visit the church of Pater Noster and the Chapel of Ascension. Walk down the Palm Sunday road, stopping at the beautiful Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene. Light a candle with a prayer in the Tomb of Holy Mother and continue to the Church of All Nations in the Garden of Gethsemane, the garden of Jesus’ agony. Descend across the Kidron Valley, to the Church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu where the Apostle denied Christ three times. Continue on to Mount Zion to visit the Room of the Last Supper, King David’s Tomb, and the Church of the Dormition. Time permitting, we will visit the Holocaust Museum, which presents the story of the Shoah (Holocaust), emphasizing the experiences of the individual victims through original artifacts, survivor testimonies, and personal possessions. Overnight Olive Tree Hotel | B, D

Day 8 Mar Saba, Bethlehem | Ein Karem

Begin the day with a visit to the Monastery of Saint Theodosius and Mar Saba, founded in the fifth century by Monk Saba. Continue to Bethlehem, and the Shepherd’s Field and Grotto. The Byzantine church is built over the birthplace of Jesus. See the cave of Saint Jerome. On the way back to Jerusalem, stop at the village of Ein Karem the birthplace of Saint John the Baptist, visit the Visitation Church and see the Russian and the Greek Orthodox Churches. Overnight Olive Tree Hotel | B, D

Day 9 St. Anne’s | Via Dolorosa | Church of the Holy Sepulcher | Garden Tomb

This morning, we will head out to explore the old city via Zion Gate to see: The Pool of Bethesda, Saint Anne’s Church (birthplace of Mary), the Chapel of Flagellation, and Ecco Home Arch. Then go on to the Via Dolorosa, to the Prison of Christ, and retrace the final hours of His life as you pass the Stations of the Cross, to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site of His death and resurrection. Climb the stairs to reach Golgotha, the place of crucifixion. The main altar here is in the care of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchy. Then we are led into the Tomb, the place of resurrection, guarded by Greek Orthodox monks. After dinner, you have the option to celebrate the Eucharist at the Holy Sepulcher at 10:30PM. Overnight Olive Tree Hotel | B, D

This morning, we will pay a visit to the Western (“Wailing”) Wall. Next, proceed down into the Jordan Valley towards the Baptism site beside the Jordan River. You have the option of doing a special renewal of your Baptismal Vow. Visit the Monastery of Saint Gerasimos. Drive to Jericho, the oldest known inhabited city in the world. View Mount Temptation and visit the Greek Orthodox Monastery. After lunch, proceed to the Dead Sea where you will have an opportunity to float in the saline waters of the lowest Sea on earth. Driving up the Judean hills to Jerusalem, we turn off the road to walk down the steep narrow hill to the magnificent Monastery of Saint George, built in a rock ravine in the Judean Desert and wonder in amazement how the monks managed to build this shrine of faith. Overnight Olive Tree Hotel | B, D

Day 11 Depart for Home

This morning, you will be transferred back to Tel Aviv Airport for your return flight home. Your guide will assist you with check-in | B

Private VIP Sojourns

We specialize in curating bespoke experiences. Want to summit Kilimanjaro on a full moon so you can ask your sweetheart to marry you? Plan a gastronomic experience along the Camino De Santiago with your foodie friends? You dream it. We make it come true.

Price depends on the number of guests and time of year traveling. Maria is happy to guide solo journeys, couples, families, friends, alumni groups, or company teams. Contact us about planning your next adventure.

Holy Land Pilgrimage

Herods Tel Aviv

Set alongside Tel Aviv’s stunning Mediterranean shoreline, the Herods Tel Aviv hotel takes its inspiration from Tel Aviv’s stylish Bauhaus past. The hotel also offers the very best in terms of pampering amenities and five-star hospitality, not to mention a superb beach location. The Herods Tel Aviv hotel was designed by renowned architect Yoav Igra and invites guests to immerse themselves in a magical atmosphere reminiscent of Tel Aviv’s 1930s White City days. The attention to detail is outstanding, from the furnishings, décor, and artwork to a nostalgic boulevard lined with orange and eucalyptus trees. Authentic street signs and lights guide guests around the hotel, and in the lobby the spirit of the deco period is encapsulated in the music from an old music machine that plays daily. Few hotels in Tel Aviv can match the Herods when it comes to its captivating interiors.

Scots Hotel

The luxurious Scots hotel was established by the Church of Scotland in 2004 in the historical compound of the Scottish Hospital, and uniquely combines the 19th-century basalt buildings with a modern and up-to-date hotel of international standards. When planning the hotel, great emphasis was placed on conserving the character of the compound by producing a synergy between new and old and creating an atmosphere of calmness and mystery. The interior decoration combines the historical character of the buildings with the comfort required from a 5-star hotel. The hotel's staff consists of professionals from all religions and knows how to provide the best service.

Olive Tree Hotel

The Olive Tree Hotel is located in Jerusalem's beautiful American Colony neighborhood and is adjacent to Jerusalem's Old City and many of the city's holy sites. The Olive Tree prides itself on providing their guests with first-class accommodations in a warm and inviting atmosphere. This newly renovated hotel was built around an ancient olive tree. Legend has it that the olive tree provided shade for caravans of pilgrims just before they entered the Holy City of Jerusalem. There are those who claim that to this very day as you relax in the hotel's Tree Garden Café, you can still hear the strings of King David's harp serenading pilgrims. Along with the unique historical aspects of this hotel, they pride themselves on being one of the most technologically advanced hotel properties in the country, with the most up to date internet technology installed throughout the hotel.

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•Curator's Note•

“I had the extraordinary privilege of putting together a Christmas Holiday pilgrimage to the Holy Land for Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angles. Including the parish priest, the charismatic Father John Bakas and I, we were a group of thirty-seven pilgrims. The trip genuinely touched each of us in a spiritually profound way. For many, it was a sojourn of a lifetime, which made the honor of arranging everything all the more special to me.”